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West London Thread August continued...

988 replies

Kewcumber · 16/08/2007 15:37

shiny new thread to sully.

OP posts:
foxcub · 10/09/2007 18:14

Guess what - my boss agreed the new flexi hours I asked for

He was a bit unsure about whether it will work and I want the option of being able to adjust/increase my hours in 6 months when DS1 is 1, so we agreed to do a 6 month review (rather than having to agree it for a minimum of 12 months, which is what the legislation recommends) - which gives him reassurance and me the option of changing my mind

HR attended, which worked in my favour as they are clued up on my "rights"

They've agreed for me to have 2 x 20 minute BF breaks a day and a room to express milk in etc

They've also agreed I can use some of my acrcrued leave to shorten my days so I can come home and feed DS2

Am so happy

DH's employers have agreed his new flexi hours as well, so our hours will slot together nicely

sfxmum · 10/09/2007 18:18

fantastic news

now off to get dinner ready

sfxmum · 10/09/2007 18:19

also hi lemonaid and Eleusis

foxcub · 10/09/2007 18:20

Ele - we've postponed Nanou's do until 13 October, when we will all be descending on CoV's new kitchen bearing bottles of vino!

Nanou is fine but very, very busy. Am going to try and catch up with her one weekend with the DDs.

Glad you enjoyed your hols and welcome back.

foxcub · 10/09/2007 18:24

Hi Lemonade [waves] How R U feeling?

Thanks sfx

eleusis · 10/09/2007 18:25

When is Nanou moving then? I thought she was off end of Sept.?

ComeOVeneer · 10/09/2007 18:34

Hi ele welcome back. How is dd enjoying school? Hi lemonaide too. Have also been attempting to potty train ds recenly as he starts nursery tomorrow and they would prefer him out of nappies, but it isn't going very well.

ComeOVeneer · 10/09/2007 18:39

This is one of my favourite recipes for haddock

Baked Fillet of Haddock, Teriyaki Glaze, Herb Mash and Coriander Infusion

Ingredients

1 x 175-225g (6?8oz) fresh haddock fillet
3 large baking potatoes
1 tablespoon of rice wine or medium dry sherry
2 tablespoons of Soya sauce
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger
4 tablespoons of finely chopped sprig of parsley
Half lemon, squeezed
60g (2oz) butter
3 sprigs of finely chopped fresh coriander
Salt and pepper
100ml double cream
Chervil / Parsley to garnish
3 shallots

Method

Using a sharp knife, trim edges of haddock. Take the tail and other end of the haddock and fold into the centre. Add salt and pepper seasoning, before baking in a moderate oven (150°C) for 10?13 minutes.
Peel potatoes and cut into 1/4, boil in salted water until soft. Sweat off finely diced shallot with butter in saucepan, add white wine, coriander and juice from lemon. Reduce the liquid for 30 seconds ? 1 minute. Next add the double cream and bring to the boil, simmer for 1?2 minutes and season to taste. Take off the heat.
For the glaze, in a small saucepan combine the soya sauce, rice wine, sherry, sugar and the ginger. Simmer for 2?4 minutes until a light syrup forms. Let cool. Mash the baking potatoes and knob of butter and some chopped parsley, season to taste. Take haddock out of oven and brush with the glaze that has now cooled.
Place under hot grill until golden brown colour. Place mash into the centre of plate in a plastic ring mould 6cm diameter/6cm deep (21/2? x 21/2?). Remove the mould and place haddock on top.
Reheat the sauce on low heat till hot. Place sauce round the potato and the haddock. Garnish with sprigs of chervil and parsley on the top.

ComeOVeneer · 10/09/2007 18:40

Ele I think she has extended it into November now, Foxie knows.

stepfordwife · 10/09/2007 18:58

foxie, that's fantastic. what a relief and well done making "flexi-working work for you" (sounds ;like a government pamphlet. eh?

bet you're really ;looking forward to going back now. i really miss working in the office...well. not the work ( doing that from home) obviously, but the goss, larking about, etc.

hi lemonaid and ele

cov - thanks for your recipe...think it's far beyond my capabilities, but will gee myself up to give it a go sometime. words like "infusion" and "reduce" scare me.
reckon you could set up a sideline as a cookery teacher

kew - ouch! hope you're feeling ok. ah, that explains why your mum's on first-name terms with the posties

choc - i'm never organised enough to make lunch sarnis the evning before, luckily dh is
how old is your ds.

ho-hum...bath-time..on your marks...get set....

stepfordwife · 10/09/2007 19:00

hmmmm...over-use of methinks
{grin}....
etc

foxcub · 10/09/2007 19:27

Ele - Nanou is leaving 1 November so she's "ours" until then!

CoV - you should change your name to "Nigella", wear a tight black top and bat your eyelids a lot

Steppy - just so looking forward to being able to go to the loo on my own again!

stepfordwife · 10/09/2007 19:37

i know! mums are just so easily pleased..
are you still starting back next week then?

Kewcumber · 10/09/2007 19:40

good news foxie - bet you are relieved.

Tooth not quite so sore though bank balance is still throbbing a bit. Anaesthetic wore off after about 45 mins and dentist was v shocked as he said he had used a full cassette (perhaps Cov knows what that means!) so had to reinject me for the crown to be bonded as the exposed tooth was by then so sensitive. Ouch! Lucky I know him well as he said that sometimes people who drink spirits have high tolerance for anaesthetics - think he was trying to imply I am a lush!

OP posts:
Kewcumber · 10/09/2007 19:41

my fail safe haddock recipe Steppie...

Go to chip shop, say "one piece of your finest haddock my man and a portion of pommes frites on the side"

works every time

OP posts:
stepfordwife · 10/09/2007 20:28

pickled gherkin too?
after all...if he's got a lush for a mother
do you go to a local dentist?

mellow2 · 10/09/2007 20:36

[grin} @ QC

Foxie,
Great news.

It's a madhouse at work. I've done a 12-hour day already and I'm working again. I'm so knackered.

But if I didn't work we wouldn't be able to afford a holiday. I think we have enough money to go home and see my family in January.

Right better get cracking so I could go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Cheerio.

mellow2 · 10/09/2007 20:36

@ QC

Kewcumber · 10/09/2007 20:44

yes local, fab but v expensive - but he's Welsh and worth it!

His partner Karim "does" sfx I beleive.

OP posts:
foxcub · 10/09/2007 21:08

LOL at throbbing bank balance

Steppy - I officially return on Monday but am taking 2 weeks hols, so not back to office till October

That's two weeks worth of cups of tea and cakes to get through yet

chocabloc · 10/09/2007 21:26

ahh well sorry about that yingers! yes i will be the same in under a year, ur right sandwiches can get boring and pizzas etc are fab! what a gr8 mum! thanks for remembering what u said so i dont look like a geek!

sfxmum · 10/09/2007 21:28

good grief a person pops off to settle child for the night and returns to slightly dubious remarks about her most respectable person

ComeOVeneer · 10/09/2007 21:29

Sorry meant to add my congrats foxy but got side tracked by ds needing a wee .

Can't belive my "baby" starts nursery 3 days a week tomorrow. I will be child free for the first time in 6 years (ok that isn't exactly true, but it is the first time it will be a regular thing).

sfxmum · 10/09/2007 21:30

hi mellow

2cute lavender duly sprinkled, fingers crossed

foxcub · 10/09/2007 21:36

CoV - thanks

Do you think you'll have any more babies then ?

BTW I just realised I had really enjoyed going into work today - I got to dress up in clothes I like, talk to grown ups about grown up things and have lunch in the fabby Lebanese place. It felt great!!